Episode 43: Hot Carl Gets Some Gasoline and a Lighter and a Judge Says No to a Protection Order
Photos courtesy of Janet Frank’s family
It's the episode where we can't pull it together 30 minutes in to switch gears so, just, forgive us for that. Also, Jenna nicknames the abuser in this week's story "Hot Carl" not because he's at all attractive but because it literally means shit and just trust us on this and don't Google it.
This week, we have to start off by talking about the Depp/Heard defamation trial, not from a choosing-sides standpoint but looking at what actually defines domestic violence versus what is a toxic relationship. Some survivors don't fit our "perfect victim" stereotype and this often ends up vilifying them.
And the shitty abuser we call out this week is Carl Bohm. After years of abuse toward his wife, daughter and the family animals, wife Janet got up the courage to leave Carl in 2018, only to be told by a female judge with a severe case of internalized misogyny that Janet did not deserve an order of protection against the man who vowed to kill her, a determination we will never understand why judges make. Just say yes. Just protect women. Carl then tried to make good on his promise in a horrendous way.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
‘The System Failed Her’, Omaha World-Herald story by Nancy Gaarder
DomesticShelters.org Shelter Finder
(Use the “Filter” button to search for shelters that accept pets)